I Am the Vine
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
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John 15:1-9
We have come a long way since our last break
Chapter 11- Lazarus raised from the dead
Chapter 12- Jesus condemns the Jews for their unbelief
Chapter 13- Jesus washes His disciples’ feet
Chapter 14- Jesus foretells His departure and promises His Spirit
I Am statements throughout the book
They express who Jesus is
He is God
John 8:58- Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
He is and has all we need
They expose what we most need
We are not self-sufficient
We are in desperate need of God’s grace
This book has revealed what specific grace we need
6 of 7
6:35- I Am the Bread of Life
Whoever comes to me will not hunger, whoever believes in me will never thirst
We need our souls to be satisfied
8:12- I Am the Light of the world
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
We need our hearts and minds to be enlightened
10:7- I Am the Gate
If anyone enters by me he will be saved
We need a way into the flock of God
10:11- I Am the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep
We need care and protection
11:25- I Am the Ressurrection and the Life
Whoever believes in me, through He die, he shall never die
We need eternal life
14:6- I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life
Noone comes to the Father except through me
We need to know Truth which gives guidance and life
They beckon our response
Every time Jesus expressed one of these statements, there is a call for a response to it
The Jews overwhelmingly rejected Him
They scoffed at Him
They hated Him
They found His call to be far too costly
They accused Him of being a liar
His disciples believed and loved Him
(v.1) I Am the True Vine
Israel was the old vine
Psalm 80:7-8- Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.
Israel was an inadequate vine
Ezekiel 19:10-14- Bible
There are many false vines
So many places present themselves as true sources of life and satisfaction
The problem is that grapes don’t grow on thorn bushes
They are simply a deceiving mirage
Good works
Relationships
Health
Financial and career success
Politics
Social progress
Jesus is the only true Vine
He is the only life-giver
You will never find life and vitality apart from Him
He is the only provider
You will never have the deep needs of your soul met apart from Him
He is the only God
You will never know and enjoy the One who made you apart from Him
Abide in Him
Next week
We will look more deeply at what this means for us
Begin to ask yourself:
If Jesus really is the True Vine how ought I to live and how ought I to relate to God through Christ?
Does it change anything?
If so, has it?